program notes: sunstones · the mineral of the month for the january meetingwill be andalusite....

Newsletter of the Chesapeake Gem & Mineral SocietyBaltimore, Maryland

<chesapeakegemandmineral.org>

Volume 61, Number 1January 2017Chippers’ ChatterChippers’ Chatter

Originally schelued for last February, but cancelled because of inclement weather, we’ll try to have this program again.

Feldspar minerals belong to the silicate group and con-tain variable amounts of sodium, potassium and calcium. Sunstone, one of the feldspar minerals has two cleavage planes and is therefore referred to as a plagioclase feldspar.

Theopticaleffectseen inmanySunstones iscausedbycopper inclusions which give these stones a red or green ap-pearance when turned to the proper angle (and cut correctly).

Found inNorwayand in some localities inOregon,Sunstone is the official gemstone ofOregon. Well cutstonesof5ctormoreoftensellformorethan$1,000percarat and are highly prized.

If you’re adventuresome, you can travel to the Plush, Oregon area, visit one of the mines, and dig your own material for a modest fee.

You don’t need to go to Plush or Norway to learn about this wonderful gem material. Just come to the Februarymeetingandlearnabout them from GIA gradu-ate nd Chesapeake member Bernie Emery. Our meeting will beginon Friday, January 13th at7:30 pm atWestchester. If you have any examples ofSunstone - either rough or cut, bring them along for the Showcase.

Program Notes: Sunstonesfrom Keith Kaneda

Photo: John Bailey

Photo: Astynaxreleased into the

public domain

It was with great honor that the Robinson Award com-mitteepresentedthe2016awardtoEarlePfetzingduringour annual Holiday Party.

The award is presented to a long-time member ofChesapeake who, throughout his or her membership, has served the club “above and beyond” the usual call of duty. Earle certainly fits that bill serving as our longtime re-cording secretary, always helping at our own spring show andatourclubboothduringtheGemCuttersShoweachSeptember.Inaddition,healwayshelpcleanupafterourmonthlymeetings.

The 2016 Robinson Award

Chippers’ Chatter – January 2017

Members of the Eastern Federation of Mineralogical & Lapidary Societies

Affiliated with the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies.

The Chesapeake Gem & Mineral Society was established in order to al-low its members to gain knowledge and skills in various phases of the Earth Sci-ence field. Through field trips, exhibi-tions, and cooperation with other soci-eties, we endeavor to further not only our own knowledge, but also that of the general public. Meetings are held on the 2nd Fri-day of each month except July & August at the Westchester Community Cen-ter, 2414 Westchester Ave; Oella, MD.. Meetings begin at 7:30 P.m. and visitors are always welcome. Dues are $15 for individuals, $25 for family memberships.

Officers:President - Barbara Kays

<chesapeakegem at gmail.com>

Vice President - Barry Berlin<chesapeakegem at gmail.com>

Recording Secretary - Alex Lastner<chesapeakegem at gmail.com>

Corresponding Sec’y - Patty Lortie<chesapeakegem at gmail.com>

Treasurer - Steve Weinberger<chesapeakegem at gmail.com>

Past President - Richard Hoff<chesapeakegem at gmail.com>

Directors: 2017 2016-17 Bob Farrar John Buchleitner Kathy Kaneda Earle Pfetzing

Editor:Carolyn Weinberger

<chesapeakegem at gmail.com>

Deadline is the 15th of each month.

Non-commercial reprint permission granted to non-profit organizations

unless otherwise noted.

ChesapeakeGem & Mineral

Society

Winter Weather Policy

A Few Words From Barbaraby Barbara Kays, President

Here it is 2017. What have you accom-plished so far to feed your love of “rocks”? Ourhighlighthasbeenremountingthesharksteethwepurchasedatthelastauctionsowecould give it to our grandson for his birthday. Needlesstosay,our10yearoldsharkfanaticwas delighted. Thiscoldweatherisagoodexcusetosettledownandworkonarrangingyourspecialcollections.Lookingatthewon-derfulgiftsreceivedattheChristmaspartyeveryonehastohaveitemsreadytoworkupon.Don’tforgettobringthefinisheditemsintofutureshowcases.Wealllovetoseeyourcreativity. Nowthatwehavethenewofficersandthecommitteechairshaveagreedtocontinue,wearereadyforanothersuccessfulyear.Abig“Thankyou”to Bob Farrar for agreeing to do “Mineral of the Month.” Rumor has it that hedoesafantasticjobforhisotherclub.Ofcourse,weallknowhowgreattheothercommitteesrunwithoutanyinterferencefromyourpresident.AsIfrequentlymention,beingpresidentofthisclubistheeasiestjobofany. Check later inthisnewslettertoseewhattheprogramcommitteehasplannedforthenextfewmonths. It will be another wonderful year! And, don’t forget that the contest continuesstartingthismonth. See you soon!

Barbara


December Meeting Minutesfrom Carolyn Weinberger, Recording Secretary

Althoughtherewasnoformalmeetingheldduringthe December Holiday Party, awards were presented as follows:

ParticipationContest: 1stPlace-PhyllisDyer(Malachitepen) 2ndPlace-LynneEmery(carving) 3rdPlace-AlexLastner(Kyanitespecimen)

Robinson Award: The coveted Robinson Award was presented to Ear-lePfetzing(seepage1formoreinfo).

SpecialReccognitionwasgiventoJATThompsononhisattaininghisMasterofFineArtsdegreefromTow-son University. JAT was presented with a lovely cake to share with those present.

Thanks to the Dawn Johnsson and her crew of elves for organizing another wonderful evening of food and greatconversation.

from Lynne Emery

AsusualtheJohnssonsdidanoutstandingjobwithour holiday party! I hope everyone that missed was well, andjustcouldn’tmakethechangeindate.

It was good to especially see Carolyn, Becky and BarbKays.Theyseemtobehandlingtheirhealthissuesforthemoment.Let’swishthemabetter2017.

AndcongratulationstoEarlPfetzingonreceivingtheRobinsonAward.WelldeservedEarle!

Lookingforwardtoanothergoodyearofinterestingtalks,auctions,fieldtrips,andfunwithourChesapeake“ family “

BirthdayWishes: Garnets are the birthstone for January. Congrats to thosecelebratingduringthemonth. 11-AlexLastner 14-BeckyKays Erin Baker 31-JeriCuffleyNibbles ‘N Noshes

by Liz and Wendy Stanne

Our Holiday party in December was wonderful! The fabulous chefs in our club brought in a lovely selection of main dish-es, vegetables and lots of tasty desserts! the Johnsson family as al-ways has perfected the art of creating a greatoccasion! We are sograteful to them for all they do for our club.

In January the re-freshments will be brought in by Sharon Becker,theKaysfamily,SharonLandrumandtheLast-ner family.

Lots of good food at the Holiday party!

Membership Renewal Timeby Steve Weinberger

Nowisthetimeforallgoodmen(andwomen)tore-new their memberships in our wonderful family. Dues remain at $15 for individuals and $25 for families (2adultsandchildrenunder18livinginthesamehome.

Please take a moment andfillouttheinformationform on page 11 sowe’resure of having the correct info. for you and either give it to me at the January meetingormailittomeatthe address shown on the form.


Mineral of the Month: Andalusiteby Bob Farrar

We’redelightedtowelcomeBobFararasournewMineraloftheMonthchairperson.BobhasbeenaworldtravelertakingfrequenttripstoBrazilandMorocco;tripshe’sdocumentedwitharticlesinRock & Gem Magazine over the years andwithpresentationstotheclub. He’scurrentlyservinghissecondyearasaDirectoroftheclub.

TheMineraloftheMonthfortheJanuarymeetingwillbeandalusite.Namedforthelocalitywhereitwasdiscov-ered,Andalusia,Spain,andalusitecanbebothaninterestingmineralspecimenandaninterestinggemstone.

Andalusite consists of aluminum silicate, Al2SiO5. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic sys-tem.Crystalsareusuallyelongated,squareincrosssection,withbluntends.Inthevariety“chiastolite”,crosssectionsofcrystalsshowacross-likepattern,causedbytheconcentra-tionof carbonaceousdarkmaterial inalternatingzonesduringcrystallization. Andalusiteranges from opaque to transparent. Transparent material typically shows strong pleochro-ism,meaningthatthecolordiffersdependingonthedirectionfromwhichitisviewed.Colorvaries from gray to brown, violet, pink, white, reddish, and green. Gem andalusite is usually reddishinonedirectionandgreenishinanother.Otherphysicalpropertiesincludeahard-nessof7.5,specificgravityof3.1to3.2,glassyluster,andprismaticcleavage.Chiastoliteisverydistinctivewhencutandpolishedincrosssections.Crystalformandpleochroismhelpdistinguishotherandalusitecrystals.

Andalusite typically occurs in metamorphic rocks such as schists, and in alluvial deposits derivedfromtheseformations.Itismorerarelyfoundingraniticpegmatites.Themostim-portantlocalitiesforgemqualityandalusiteareinthestateofMinasGerais,Brazil,aswellasintheneighboringstateofBahia.GemmymaterialisalsofoundinSriLanka.Awell-knownlocality for chiastolite is Lancaster,Massachusetts. Chiastolite is also found in California,Maine,Australia,andChina. Andalusitecrystalsupto30cmlonghavebeenfound inAl-tavista, Campbell Co., Virgina. It has also be found in Delaware Co., Pennsylvania. Other importantlocalitiesforandalusiteincludeFranceandRussia.

Andalusiteissometimesminedforindustrialuses.Itcanbeusedincertainceramicmaterials,suchasinsparkplugs,that require high heat resistance. It is also of some importance as a gemstone. Because of its apparent color change whenviewedfromdifferentangles,itissometimescalledthe“poorman’salexandrite”.Gemstonesaretypicallyfaceted,butfibrousmaterialalsooccursthatcanbecutintocabochonsthatshowacat’seyeeffect.

Andalusite,particularlychiastolite,ispopularasacollector’smineral,andiscommonenoughthatspecimenscanbeobtainedformodestprices. Italsomakesaninterestinggemstone,and, as its nickname suggests, is cheaper that other gems that show color changes.

AndalusiteJenipapo MineTaquaral area

Minas Gerais, BrazilPhoto: Rob Lavinsky, <I-rocks.com> Wikimedia Commons -

in the public domain

Gemmy AndalusiteBahia, Brazil

Photo: Rob Lavinsky, <I-rocks.com>Wikimedia Commons in the public domain


Bench Tipsby Brad Smith

Sanding and Polishing in Tight Places

Often you’ll need to sand orpolish an area that’s impossible to reach with even a small wheel onaflexshaft.Othertimesitmightbethebottomofapocketorinsidebottomcornerofaboxthatneedstobefinished. Onetrick for thesenit-picky jobsmaybe leftoverfromyourlastChinesedinner-achopstick.

I’ve found quite a few uses for these in the shop. Pre-parethetipbysimplysaw-ingitoffata45degreean-gle. Then apply whatever abrasive grit you will need forthejoborholdastripofsandpaper around the end. Loosegritcanbeheldontothetipwithabitofvaselineor oil. Tripoli or rouge can

bejustrubbedontotheendofthechopstick.

Ochre Applicator

Yellow ochre is used when you want to be sure the solderwon’tflowonanareaofyourpiecewhileyou’resoldering another area. The only problem with ochre is coming up with a good way to store and apply it.

I use recycled nail pol-ish bottles. They seal welland have a built-in brush applicator. Just clean them outwithalittleacetoneornail polish remover, and they’re ready to go.

See all Brad’s jewelry books at

Amazon.com/author/bradfordsmith

Walter Goetzfrom Johnny Johnsson

WalterGoetz,anamaturegoldminehistorianspe-cializing on gold mining in Mont-gomery County, Maryland passed awayafteratwoyearbattlewithcanceronDecember19.

Walt will be best rememberedas a speaker for our club, and as the author of three books on gold mining in the DC area -- Maryland Gold Fever, Montgomery Gold

FeverandFairfax(VA)GoldFever.Manyofushavethesebooksinourhomecollections.

Waltwasanavidcollectorofminingartifactsandlo-calgoldmininghistory.Hispersonalcollectioncontainedmany self-colllected samples from the local, now aban-doned mines.

He is survived by his wife Myrt, three daughters and numerous grand-children. Burial will take place at a fu-turedateatArlingtonNationalCemetary.

Congratulations JAT!


How Do They Get That Color?from The Michigan Mineralogical Society via Back Benders Gazette, January 2017

AccordingtoartistDavidPatchen,“Multiplecolorswithinasingleobject increasethedifficultyofproduction,asglassesofdifferentcolorshavedifferentchemicalandphysicalpropertieswhenmolten.”

Colorisastrikingpropertyofaglassobject.Itcanalsobeoneofthemostinterestingandbeautifulproperties.Colorsometimesdefinestheusefulnessofaglassobject,butitalmostdefinesitsdesir-ability. The earliest people who worked with glass had no control over its color. Only through accident andexperimentationdidglassmakerslearnthataddingcertainsubstancestotheglassmeltwouldproducespectacularcolorsinthefinishedproductwhenitcooled.Othersubstanceswerediscoveredthat,whenaddedtothemelt,wouldremovecolorfromthefinishedproject.

TheEgyptiansandMesopotamiansbothbecameexpertattheproductionofcoloredglass.Intheeighthcentury,aPersianchemist,AbuMusaJabir ibnHayan,oftenknownsimplyas“Geber,”recordeddozensofformulasfortheproductionofglassinspecificcolors.Geberisoftenknownasthe“fatherofchemistry.”Herealizedthattheoxidesofmetalswerethekeyingredients for coloring glass.

Therecipeforproducingcoloredglassusuallyinvolvestheadditionofametaltotheglass.Thisisoftenaccomplishedbyaddingsomepowderedoxide,sulfide,orothercompoundofthatmetaltotheglasswhileitismolten.Thetablebelowlistssomeofthecoloringagentsofglassandthecolorstheyproduce.Manganesedioxideandsodiumnitratearealsolisted.Theyaredecoloringagents—materialsthatneutralizetheimpactofimpuritiesintheglass.

Widely Known Glass Colors— Somecolorsofglassarewidelyknown.Perhapsthe(best)exampleofthisis“cobaltblue”thatisproducedbyaddingcobaltoxidetotheglassmelt.“Vaselineglass”isafluorescentyellow-greenglassthatcontainssmallamountsofuraniumoxide.

“Rubygold”and“cranberryglass”areredglassesproducedbytheadditionofgold.“Seleniumruby’’isaredcolorcausedbytheadditionofseleniumoxide,and“Egyptianblue”isproducedbytheadditionofcopper.Manyoftheelementsusedtoproducethecolorsinglasscanalsobefoundinnature,creatingthecolorsofdifferentmineralsandtheirdistinctiveproperties. Metals Used to Impart Color to Glass-- CadmiumSulfide ...................................... Yellow Gold Chloride ....................................... Red CobaltOxide ...................................... Blue-Violet ManganeseDioxide.........................Purple NickelOxide ............................................... Violet Sulfur ....................................Yellow-Amber ChromicOxide..............................EmeraldGreen UraniumOxide...FluorescentYellow,Green IronOxide.............................GreensandBrowns SeleniumOxide.................................Reds CarbonOxides...............................AmberBrown AntimonyOxides..............................White Copper Compounds ..................Blue, Green, Red TinCompounds...............................White LeadCompounds ..................................... Yellow ManganeseDioxide ..... A decoloring agent Sodium Nitrate .......................A decoloring agent

Vintagecranberryglassbowl.Gold in concentrations smaller than .001%producesa lessintenseredthan“rubygold.”Itisoftenmarketedascranberryglass.

from WikipediaPhoto by Flickr user Petit Poulailler

Photo by David PatchenCC BY-SA 3.0


The Great Meteorite Catastrophe in Siberiaby C. F. Meade, related in “Chambers’s Journal” April 1937via RockCollector, January 2017

The mere magnitude of an event has a high news val-ue nowadays, and it is therefore surprising that the big-gest event of our century should have remained almost unnoticedformorethanthirteenyearsafterithappened.Even now, comparatively fewpeople have heard of thegreat meteorite which fell in the wilds of Siberia at eight o’clockinthemorningofthethirtiethofJunein1908,andinEnglandonlyscientificperiodicalshavepaidseriousat-tention to it. In fact, thedistrict inwhich it camedownwas so remote and inaccessible that not until 1921didtheRussiangovernmentfinallydecidetosendanexpedi-tion to investigate. And, even then, the expedition thatwas sent failed to reach the site.

It is indeed strange that this portent should have at-tractedsolittleattention.BarographsatKirenskandIrkutskhadrecordedacommotionatthetimeofthefall,anditwassubsequently learned that English instruments had regis-teredtheeffectsofthepassageofsomeimmenseprojec-tilethroughspace,andhadreactedtotheblastofairpro-ceeding from a tremendous collision with the earth. At the sametimedarknesshadfailedoverthewholeofsouthernEngland, which remained as light as the north of Scotland throughoutthenight.Someobserversalsonoticedcloudsof dust that were carried high over north-west Europe by a windtravellingattwohundredmilesanhour,andsunjetswith abnormally brilliant coloring followed. It should have been evident that an astronomical phenomenon had oc-curredsomewhereonaquiteexceptionalscale.

II

However, at the time, no one suspected what hadhappened, and only later did rumors reach civilizationthat in the heart of Siberia, on a hilly plateau, near a tribu-taryoftheRiverYenesei,sixtydegreesnorthandninetydegreeseast,agreatfireballhadfalleninbroaddaylight.It was described as brighter than the sun.

The nearest settlement, Vanovara, was fifty milesaway to the southeast. Even at that distance the concus-sionwas terrific, windowswere broken, and therewasa violent panic. “All at once” as one of the spectators expressed it, “something seemed toburnmyear, and Iseemedtobeenveloped inflame.”Anothersaid: “Aftertheflamedisappeared,anexplosionthrewmeoffmyfeetfor more than two yards.

“At great distances, too, at Tashkent, Tifia, Irkutsk,and Jena, earthquake shocks were reported. The pas-sengers on the TransSiberian railway, four hundred miles distant, were terror-stricken by a violent uproar, and the engine-driver stopped his train, believing that it had beenderailed.Theexplosionwasalsoheardatnumer-ous points within a circle of two thousand miles diam-eter,thesoundincreasinginintensityfornearlyfivemin-utes,andacolumnoffire,twelvemileshigh,wasseenfrom a distance of two hundred and eighty miles. At one place these signs and wonders made so deep an impres-sion that they actually originated a new tribal religion.

III

Asecondattempttoorganizeanexpeditionwasmadein1927,butthedifficultieswereformidable.Fromtherail-waystationofTaishet,reindeersledgeshadtobeobtainedfromTungustribesmen.Moreover,theconditionshadtobeexactlyrightbeforeastartcouldbemade,foritwases-sentialthatthereshouldbeplentyofgood,hardsnowtosupport the weight of the reindeer and the sledges, while atthesametime,theamountofsnowmustnotbegreatenough to cover up the reindeer’s grazing-grounds.

Whenthepartystarted,thedailytemperatureaver-agedfortydegreesbelowzero,buttheexplorers’great-est difficultiesweredue to thepeculiar habits of theirguides.ItseemsthattheTungusdividetheirattentionsexclusively between twopreoccupations: their tea andtheir reindeer. The unfortunate result was that it was never possible to make a start before ten o’clock in the morning, owing to the protracted tea-drinking that went on, and when the party eventually got under way, the grazing requirements of the reindeerwere so exactingthatawholeday’sjourneyseldomexceededfourorfivemiles. Later, the snow began tomelt, and it was onlypossibletocontinuethejourneybyemployingboatsfornavigatingthevastswampsandfloodedrivers,inwhichmasses of ice were now beginning to disintegrate.

However, in spite of the fact that it had to turn back, the expedition succeeded in discovering the where-abouts of the site of the great crash, and learned that immense forests had been razed to the ground by rea-

continued on page 8


son of the tremendous atmospheric pressure. A thousand domesticatedreindeerhadbeendestroyed,but,astherewere fortunately no settlements in the neighborhood,very few human beings seem to have perished.

IV

In 1928 another expedition set out, and wasmoresuccessful.Yet,eventoday,afterstillfurtherexaminationofthespot,theexactnatureofthisprodigiouseventre-mainsdoubtful.Craterswerediscovered,butwereneitherverynumerousnorverydeep.Theinvestigatorsdugdowninto the soil, but found nothing of a meteoric nature.

Whathadhappenedtothemeteorite?Twosupposi-tionsareconceivable:onetheoryisthatthesubstanceofthemeteoritewas reduced to dust, or elsewas volatil-ized by the ferocious heat generated; while another view assumes that the meteorite hit the earth at a tangent, glanced off again, andwas lost in infinite space. A stillmore startling idea is that the cause of the mischief may not have been a meteor at all, but may have been a comet which came to grief here by colliding with the earth.

It is generally believed that the incandescent cloud whichisusuallydispersedatagreataltitudeasameteorbegins to lose its velocity was in this instance retained un-tilthemomentofcollision.Theimpactofthiscloudwiththe ground was the cause of the air being driven out on all sides with such astonishing violence.

V

A1929expeditionachievedevenmoregratifyingsuc-cess, and further discoveries were made. The area of dev-astationwasthoroughlyexplored,anditwasfoundthatpine trees had been felled radially round the craters to adistanceofthirty-sevenmilesineverydirection.Therewas also a radius of burnt forest of seven or eight miles, and in the center of the disturbed area were the myste-riously inadequate craters, like shell holes, about twelve feet deep, andof all dimensions up to fifty yards in di-ameter.Approximatelyathousandsquaremilesofforesthadbeenlaidwaste,butwithoccasionalvariationsinthedestructionwrought,forhereandtherebeltsoftreeshadunaccountablyescaped.Theinvestigatorsdugdowntoadepth of thirty feet in the craters without discovering any

iron,althoughthenativesdeclaredthatsomehadbeenfound in the neighborhood.

Various estimates have beenmade of the size andspeedofaprojectilethatcouldeffectsuchappallingde-struction.Thevelocity issupposedtohavebeenunusu-ally great, perhaps forty-five miles a second, and theweightoftheprojectileorprojectileshasbeencalculatedat between twelve and a hundred and thirty stone. It has been thought that the diameter of the deadly incandes-cent cloud was about a mile and a quarter. The craters, it is now believed, are not merely the dents or holes made bythe impetusof themeteor,butareexplosioncratersduetothesuddenvaporizationofpartofthematerialofthe meteorite and of the earth.

VI

Wemay truthfully say that throughout the world’shistory, no greater astronomical catastrophe than this has ever been recorded by eye-witnesses. Only one other in-stance is known of a similar prodigy occurring within his-toricaltimes,andthatisthefallofagiganticmeteoriteinArizona.Butnodefiniterecordofthisparticularvisitationhassurvived.Weonlyknowthat,althoughtheSiberianaffairwasformidableenough,thefalloftheArizonawasit an asteroid have been on an enormously greater scale, forthecraterinArizonais570feetdeep,three-quartersof a mile wide, and has an area of three hundred acres. Hereitwas,accordingtotheNavajoIndians,thatagodcame down from heaven.

It is reassuring that such terrifying events into the sea somewhere beyond Bermuda occur rarely in the course of the world’s history. If it had happened to fall on land, it yetitisasignificantfactthatasrecentlyaswouldprob-ablyhavebeenasdestructiveasinthemonthofFebru-aryoftheyear1913theSiberianportent.Atanyrate,ifeither group of meteors similar in dimensions to that of these colossal thunder-bolts had fallen which fell in Sibe-riawasobserved travellingon London, the townwouldhave been wiped across Canada.

The Great Meteorite Catastrophecontinued from page 7


Wildacres Spring Classes – May 22 – 28, 2017 – Speaker-in-Residence: Bob Jones

Class & Instructor DescriptionBeading: New Beads Mia Schulman

Youwillbecreatingpendantsandearringsusingbeadsthathavefrom2to4holeseach!Theywillbesquare,triangular,andrectangular inshapeincombinationwithregularone-holedbeads.2-dayclassofferedfirstsemester.Nopriorexperiencenecessary.

Beading: Peyote Bracelet Mia Schulman

PendantswillbecreatedusingDelicatabeadsandthePeyotestitch(alsocalledGourdstitch).Thisisanoff-loombead-weavingtechniqueusingafineneedleandbeadingthread.Peoplewholookatyourpendantusuallywantto feel it because it is so intriguing. 2-dayclassofferedsecondsemester.Nopriorexperiencenecessary.

Cabochons – Basic Bernie Emery

Learntotransformapieceofrockintoashiny,well-formedcabochon.Youwilllearntheuseofthetrimsawas well as basics of grinding, sanding and polishing. Slabs are provided or students September use their own withapprovaloftheinstructor.Pleasebringanapronandsafetyglasses.2-dayclassofferedfirstsemester.Nopriorexperiencenecessary.

Cabochons - Intermediate Bernie Emery

Learntocutdifferentshapesandthetechniquesneededtodoso.SlabsareprovidedorstudentsSeptemberuse their own with approval of the instructor. Please bring an apron and safety glasses. Prerequisite: Stu-dentsmusthavepriorexperiencewithcabbinganduseofthetrimsaw.2-dayclassofferedsecondsemester.

FacetingLarryHeath

Studentswilllearntocutandpolisha57-facetroundbrilliantgemstone.Inaddition,theywilllearnhowtoiden-tifywell-cutstones,selectroughmaterialandseewhetherornottheyenjoythisfascinatingaspectofthehobby.StudentsareaskedtobringanOptivisor(#7or#9)andanapron.4-dayclass.Nopriorexperiencenecessary.

IntroductiontoGemology Tim Morgan

Whatistheidealcolorofruby?Wheredodiamondscomefrom?Whatcountryisaleadingproducerofgems?Whatisgemology?Howaregemsformed?Howaretheyclassified?Answerstothesequestions,andmore,offeredinthisclass.Sessionincludesdiscussionoforganicgemsandtheirappealtothepublic.Lotsofhandson-rough,specimens,finishedstones-asexamples.NoPrerequisite.2-dayclassoffered1stsemester.

Intermediate Gemology Tim Morgan

Howdoesoneexamineandevaluateagemstone?Howdoesaloupeaidsuchevaluation?Adichroscope?Anemerald(Chelsea)filter?CourseconsidersthesequestionsandissuessuchasMohsscaleofhardness,inorganicgemstones, how gems are sold, what to look for when shopping for gemstones, and the care and feeding of your gems.Lotsofhandson-rough,specimens,finishedstones-asexamples.Prerequisite-IntroductiontoGemology.2-dayclassoffered2ndsemester.

Gem Trees - BasicElliePitts

Studentswilllearnthebasicstocreateatleasttwogemtreeswithoptionalinstructionsandsuppliesavailableformoretreesandpatterns,astimepermits.Studentswilllearntocut,twist,andassemblewirebranchesaccordingtoapattern.Pleasebringeitherreadingglassesoranoptivisor.Toolswillbeavailableinclass,butitwouldbehelpfultobringyourownjewelrypliers.Studentsmaybringtheirownbaserocks(Baserocksshouldbefrom1-1/2”to5”wide;smallbasesmusthaveenoughweighttoholdaminitreeupright.).Nopriorexperienceneeded,butstudentsmustbealetoworkwithsmallobjects,twistwire,andhandlethesmellofadhesiveglue.2-dayclassoffered1stsemester.

Gem Trees - IntermediateElliePitts

Studentswithpriorexperiencewillcreatetwogemtreesinclassfrommorecomplicatedpatterns,aswellasrecognizehowtheirtechniquechangeshowthetreewilllook.Bringreadingglassesoranoptivisor.Toolswillbeavailabletoshare,butitwouldbehelpfultobringyourownpliersandcutters.Ifyoubringyourownwire,IrecommendArtisticWire24ga,sincegenericcraftwirescanbreakwhentwistedtightly.Youmaybringyourownbaserocks(11/2”to5”),Twodayclass,secondsemester.Prerequisite:GemTree1orpriorexperiencewithtwistingwireandworkingwithgemtreepatterns.AdvancedstudentsmayenrollduringGemTreesIorIIandworkindependentlywithsuppliesandsuggestionsavailable.2-dayclassoffered2ndsemester.

MineralIdentificationMikeWise

Studentswilllearnthebasicskillsneededtoidentifyawidevarietyofrock-formingand“exotic”minerals.Thisclasswillfocuson“non-destructive”and“semi-destructive”teststhatthebeginnercanusetoaidinmineralidentification.4-dayclass.Nopriorexperiencenecessary.

Silversmithing - Basic Richard Meszler

Havefunlearningthebasicsofworkingsilversheetandwiretofabricatejewelry.Theprojectswillintroduceyoutoannealing/bending/shaping/texturingmetal,soldering,piercingandpolishing.Studentswillreceiveakitcontainingthenecessarymetalsandsuppliestocompletetheseprojectsaswellasadetailedwrittenstepbystepdescriptionofeachproject.2-dayclassoffered1stsemester.Nopriorexperiencenecessary

Silversmithing - Intermediate Richard Meszler

Continueyoureducationworkingwithmetalsbydoingamorecomplexproject.Youwilllearntomakeabezelsetting&bailintowhichyouwillsetacabochontomakeapendant.Studentswillreceiveakitcontainingthenecessarymetalsandsuppliestocompletethisprojectaswellasadetailedwrittenstepbystepdescriptionofeachproject.Prerequisite:Basicsilversmithingexperienceincludingsoldering.2-dayclassoffered2ndsemester.

Soapstone Carving Sandy Cline

Thisclasswillprovideageneralintroductiontothecarvingofsoapstone.Youwilldevelopaworkingknowl-edge of the material, tools, safe handling issues and the methods used to complete a carving. You will produce a simple piece and progress to making a more advanced sculpture of your choice. The development of your ownpersonalstylewillbeencouraged.Nopriorexperienceneeded.2-dayclassofferedbothsemesters.

2017 EFMLS Wildacres RegistrationPLEASE,ONLYonepersonperformpersession

CHECKONE:May22-28:__________Fall:September4-10:__________ PleasefilloutaseparateregistrationformforeachpersonattendingandreturntoSUZIEMILLIGAN,931CarmichaelRd;Owego,NY13827-3320. No registration will be accepted prior to January 1, 2017. (To make it easier for the registrar and others, please do not change or revise this form. You September photocopy it as needed.) Please write legibly!

Name(asyouwishittoappearonyournamebadge):______________________________________

Street:___________________________________City:_____________________State:_________Zip:___________

Telephonenumberwithareacode:_________________________e-mail:________________________________

Club/SocietyAffiliation:_______________________________________________________________________

Feeforeachsessionis$410.00perperson.Depositis$205perperson,payablewithregistration. Makecheckspayableto“EFMLS”.Balanceoffeeisdue30dayspriortostartofsession.Nopostdatedcheckswillbeaccepted.

Cancellation policy: If unable to attend, fees paid will be refunded if notification is given prior to one month before the session begins. No refund will be made after that date.

Circle appropriate responses: HaveyoubeentoWildacresbefore?Yes_____No_____IsyourClubpayingyourtuition?Yes_____No_____

Nameofroommate:__________________________________________(Ifnone,onewillbeassigned). Areyou:Male_____Female _____(Nosingleroomsareavailable).Areyouasmoker?Yes____No____ (No smoking is allowed in any building) Doyouhaveanyphysicalhandicapsand/orspecialdietaryneeds?Yes______No______ IfYES,pleaseexplainonreverseside.

Do you haveaskilltodemonstrateoraprogramtoshare(upto40minutes)? Yes_____ No_____

Class Pre-registration SeeEFMLSNewsletterorWebsite(efmls-wildacres.org/)forclassofferings. Youwilleitherbeabletotakeone4-dayclassortwo2-dayclasses.Allparticipantsmusttakeclasses. Whichoftheclassesbeingofferedwouldyouliketotake?Please indicate at least 3 choices in order of preference for each semes-ter. You will be preregistered for classes based on your choices, but no class placement is guaranteed. Should your preferred class be unavailable for any reason you will be preregistered for another of your choices. If no alternate class preference is indicated we will pre-register you in a class of our choosing, based on availability.

1st Semester or 4 day classe choices Second Semester

1____________________________________ 1_____________________________________

2____________________________________ 2_____________________________________

3____________________________________ 3______________________________________

4____________________________________ 4______________________________________

(No registrations accepted prior to January 1, 2017) Mailto:SuzieMilligan,931CarmichaelRd;Owego,NY13827-3320

If you have any questions, please contact either SuzieMilligan,Registrarat<[email protected]>or607-687-5108or PammBryant,Directorat<[email protected]>or804-457-4698

For Office Use Only

ID#_______________

DateRec'd"____________

Amt.Paid:__________

Ck#:______________

Amt.Paid:_____________

Ck#:_________________

PaidinFull:_____________


Auctions - Lynne and Bernie Emery

Directory (address changes) Patty Lortie Field Trips - Richard Hoff

Greeters -

Hospitality - Liz & Wendy Stanne

Committee Chairpersons

Mineral of the Month - Bob Farrar Personals/Announcements/ Sunshine - Lynne Emery and Patricia Smith

Programs - Richard Hoff, Keith Kaneda & Tony Wilner

Safety - Johnny Johnsson

Show - Bernie & Lynne Emery

Showcase - Steve Dyer

Telephone Chain Lynne Emery Phylllis Dyer Dawn Johnsson Mary Chandler Liz Stanne Wendy Stanne


Carolyn Weinberger PO Box 302 Glyndon, MD 21071-0302

January: 13:ChesapeakemeetingatWestchester.BernieEm-erywillspeakonSunstones.-7:30pm

25:Balto.MineralSocietymeetingatNaturalHIstorySo-cietyofMaryland.AlPribulawillspeakonGarnets.7:30pm

February: 7:GemCuttersGuildmeetingatMeadowMill.-7:30pm

10:ChesapeakeMeetingatWestchester.Talkoncollect-ing agates in California.

22:Balto,MineralSocietymeetingatNHSM-7:30pm.

March: 18-19:AnnualMontgomeryCountyGem,Mineral&Fos-sil Show at Mont. County Fairgrounds, Gaithersburg, MD

April: 20-23:44thAnnualRochesterMineralogicalSymposium,Henrietta,NY,

program notes: sunstones · the mineral of the month for the january meetingwill be andalusite....

Documents